Eight Is Enough's Adam Rich died of a FENTANYL overdose

Eight Is Enough star Adam Rich’s autopsy report reveals he died of a FENTANYL overdose… after he was discovered dead at home in January

• The medical examiner’s report Rich died from an accidental overdose 
• He also had non-toxic levels of alcohol and lorazepam in his system
• Rich’s body was discovered two days after he was last heard from in January 

Adam Rich, who starred as the youngest son on the popular series Eight Is Enough, died of a drug overdose.

The former child star died from an overdose of the opioid drug fentanyl, which has been implicated in many deaths across the country in recent years.

According to the LA County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, which was obtained by TMZ, Rich’s overdose death was accidental, rather than intentional.

The report also noted that he had non-toxic levels of alcohol and lorazepam — also known by its brand name Ativan — in his system.

A family member previously announced that the former actor had died at his home in January of this year at the age of 54.

Drug death: Adam Rich, who starred as the youngest son on the popular series Eight Is Enough, died in January of a drug overdose, according to a medical examiner’s report obtained by TMZ; pictured in Hollywood in 2019

Law enforcement insiders had previously told TMZ that investigators were examining an overdose as a possible cause of death.

The police allegedly found white powder that they suspected was drugs at Rich’s home, and he had reportedly had drug issues in the past.

His apartment building manager was said to have discovered Rich’s body in his bathroom two days after anyone had last heard from him. He reportedly performed a wellness check due to the lack of communication.

Law enforcement initially believed Rich had been dead for some time before his body was found.

Previously, the family member who announced Rich’s death did not specify a cause, but police sources said it did not appear to be foul play. 

Adam had starred in a number of projects throughout his career, which began after he was cast in the late 1970s ABC sitcom Eight Is Enough as Nicholas Bradford, when he was just eight years old. 

The series, which aired for five seasons, followed ‘a family with eight very independent children.’

Following the show, he made appearances onCode Red, which lasted for one season, and was a voice actor for Dungeons And Dragons. He also worked on the 1997 film The City. 

However, Rich decided to largely step away from Hollywood and the entertainment industry in the 1980s to stay out of the limelight, and instead opted for a more private life.

Child star: A family member previously announced that the former actor had died at his home on Saturday at the age of 54; pictured on the right in 2019 in Hollywood; pictured in Park City, Utah around Christmas 2020

Tragic: The former child star died from an overdose of the opioid drug fentanyl, which has been implicated in many deaths across the country in recent years; pictured as a child

Notable role: Adam starred in a number of projects throughout his career, which began after he was cast in the late 1970s ABC sitcom Eight Is Enough when he was eight

Rich was born in 1968, and lived most of his life in Los Angeles. His career took off when he began studying with a drama teacher at Chatsworth High School, who had also taught stars including Top Gun, Batman Forever and Heat star Val Kilmer. 

Among his final credits was the 2003 comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, in which he played a version of himself. 

Rich was also reportedly linked to substance abuse, and he was arrested in 1991 after he broke a pharmacy window to steal drugs, according to TV Line. 

Dick Van Patten, who played his father Tom Bradford in Eight Is Enough, reportedly bailed him out following the arrest. 

The following year, in 1992, the late actor checked himself into a drug rehabilitation program. He was later arrested in 2002 for a DUI, but he denied the charges, according to CBS News. ‘I’ve been sober for 10 years,’ he stated at the time. 

When he was only 14, Rich had tried marijuana, and later dropped out of high school when he was 17. 

In 1996, the former child star was part of a ‘death hoax’ involving the San Francisco publication Might. The magazine publishing a story — with Rich’s consent — that he had been murdered, reported The Mirror.

One of the magazine’s writers and co-founders, future novelist Dave Eggers, wrote humorously about the incident in his own 2000 metafictional memoir A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius.

Shortly after the news of his death was confirmed by law enforcement and a family member to TMZ, Rich’s fans jumped to social media to express their sadness and condolences to his family.  

Eight IS Enough: Dianne Kay, Rich, Connie Needham, Laurie Walters, Willie Aames, Lani O’Grady, Susan Richardson, Grant Goodeve, Dick Van Patten and Betty Buckley pictured on the show

Stepping away from Hollywood: However, Rich stepped away from Hollywood and the entertainment industry in the 1980s for a more private life

Substance abuse: When he was only 14, Rich had tried marijuana, and later dropped out of high school when he was 17; seen on Fantasy Island in 1982

Talented: His career took off when he began learning from a drama teacher at Chatsworth High School, who had also taught stars including Val Kilmer; seen with Full House star Lori Loughlin in 1985 

Last film: One of the actor’s last credits was the 2003 comedy Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, in which he played himself

One fan had penned in a tweet, ‘I was a big, no, huge fan of #EightIsEnough This is heartbreaking. #RIP #AdamRich.’ 

Adam Baldwin, known for starring in the series Chuck and the film Full Metal Jacket, expressed his sadness and wrote, ‘R.I.P Adam Rich.’

American filmmaker and actor Jay Duplass penned in a heartfelt Twitter tribute, ‘they don’t make em like they used to RIP Adam Rich,’ followed by a black heart emoji and a throwback photo of the late actor as a child. 

Another social media user typed out, ‘Very sad to hear about Adam Rich passing. He was a welcomed guest in my home every week when I was growing up. My condolences to his loved ones. Rest in Power.’ 

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